Police are urging motorists to take care and drive safely as they head home from their holidays this year.
So far this holiday period there have provisionally been 14 deaths and a number of people seriously injured on our roads, which Assistant Commissioner Bruce O'Brien says is completely unacceptable and a tragic reminder of the realities of road crashes.
"That's 14 people who leave grieving loved ones behind at what is supposed to be a happy and relaxing time of year.
"Our thoughts go out to those people who are dealing with the very worst of circumstances."
Police's plea to people getting on the roads for the remainder of the holiday period is simple - we want you, your family and friends to get home alive.
That means buckling up, not driving impaired or fatigued, staying within the speed limit, and putting any distractions like your phone away.
"But we also need people to be patient," says Assistant Commissioner O'Brien.
"There will be high volumes of traffic on the roads and delays will be inevitable at peak times.
"Please, stay calm - treat the people in the cars around you like they're your own family.
"You could also consider delaying your departure or taking a few extra stops along the way – make the most of summer and get home safely.”
3 comments
Penny not dropping
Posted on 02-01-2023 07:09 | By Slim Shady
The Police and the Government keep saying the message is not getting through. And their answer is to keep pleading and slowing down everybody by slashing speed limits. Do they really think the people who drive recklessly, whether that is by speeding, drink or drugs, mobile phone, tailgating, running lights, etc,. care a jot about a speed limit being cut by 10kph? They don't. I keep waiting for the message to get through to the authorities and the penny to drop. Still waiting.
Road to Zero
Posted on 02-01-2023 07:42 | By RhysM
The government's Road to Zero master plan to reduce the road toll is yet another policy in tatters. Drove to Auckland and back on New Year's eve and not one cop on the road.
Not working.
Posted on 02-01-2023 08:50 | By The Professor
Firstly, condolences to those people who have lost friends and loved ones. This road toll demonstrates that unfortunately accidents happen.....that is life and they ARE inevitable. This also shows that the ridiculous Road2Zero campaign is a complete waste of money. NZTA's hell bent approach on reducing speed limits is also shown to be a farce when looking at these results. So, stop reducing the speed limits, stop pinging people for doing 1k over the speed limit, scrap the R2Z campaign and start looking at alternative approaches. Ban mum and dad lessons and make learner drivers go through qualified AND approved trainers. Implement restrictions on engine size for newly qualified drivers. Fix the potholes. Accept that accidents happen but acknowledge that the toll rate has plummeted over the last decade and more....when using correct calculations!! I also note that Police have reduced roadside drug testing!!
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